Instructions for Completing the Articles of Organization ...

1 LLC-1 Instructions (REV 11/2020)2020 California Secretary of State for Completing the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) To form a limited liability company (LLC), you must file Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the California Secretary of State. Before submitting the completed form, you should consult with a private attorney for advice about your specificbusiness needs. Operating Agreements are to be maintained by the LLC and are not filed with the California Secretary of : Filing Fee: The fee for filing the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) is $ Faster Service Fee:-Counter and guaranteed expedite services are available only for documents submitted in person (drop off) to our sacramento Drop Off: A separate, non-refundable $ counter drop off fee is required if you submit in person(drop off) your completed document at our sacramento office.

2 The $ counter drop off fee provides priority service over documents submitted by mail. The special handling fee is not refundable whether the document is filed or Expedite Drop Off: For more urgent submissions, documents can be processed within a guaranteed timeframe for a non-refundable fee instead of the counter drop off fee. For detailed information about this faster processing service through our Preclearance and Expedited Filing Services, go : Upon filing, we will return one (1) plain copy of your filed document for free, and will certify t he copy upon request and payment of a $5 certification fee. To obtain additional copies or certified copies of this f ile d Articles of Organization , include payment for copy f ees and certification fees at the tim e the Articles of Organization is submitted.

3 Additional copy fees are $ for the first page and $.50 for each attachment page. For certified copies, there is an additional $ certification fee, per copy. Payment Type: Check(s) or money orders should be made payable to the Secretary of State. Do not send cash by mail. If submitting the document in person in our sacramento office, payment also may be made by credit card (Visa or Mastercard ).Processing Dates: For current processing dates, go to you are not c ompleting this f orm onlin e, please type or legibly print in black or blue ink. Complete the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) as follows: Item Instruction Tips 1. Enter the name of the proposed LLC exactly as it is to appear on the records of the California Secretary of State including the LLC identifier.

4 California Corporations Code section requires:-The LLC name must include: LLC, , Limited Liability Company, Limited Liability Co., Ltd. Liability Company, or Ltd Liability LLC name may not include: bank, trust, trustee, incorporated, inc., corporation, or LLC name may not include: insurer, insurance company, or any other words suggesting that the LLC is in the business of issuing policies of insurance and assuming insurance name is not likely to mislead the public and is distinguishable from other LLCs of record or reserved with the California Secretary of State. There are legal limitations on what name can be used for the LLC. For general LLC name requirements and restrictions or for information on reserving an LLC name prior to submitting Form LLC-1, go Instructions (REV 11/2020)2020 California Secretary of State A name reservation is not required to submit Form LLC-1.

5 A preliminary search of LLC names already of record can be made online through our Business Search at Please note: The Business Search is not intended to serve as a formal name availability search. For information on checking or reserving a name, go Enter the complete street address, city and zip code of the LLC's initial designated office in California. The designated office is where copies of the organizational documents, operating agreement financial and other business records must be kept. The designated office does not need be the place of the LLC's activity in California. (Section ) The complete street address is required, including the street name and number, city and zip code.

6 Address must be a physical address. Do not enter a Box address, or abbreviate the name of the If different from the address in Item 2a, enter the LLC s complete mailing address, city, state and zip code. This address will be used for mailing purposes and maybe a Box address or in care of an individual orentity. Do not abbreviate the name of the The LLC must have an Agent for Service of Process. There are two types of Agents that can be named: an individual ( member, manager, orany other individual) who resides inCalifornia with a physical Californiaaddress; OR a registered corporate agent qualifiedwith the California Secretary of State. An Agent for Service of Process is responsible foraccepting legal documents ( service of process,lawsuits, other types of legal notices, etc.)

7 On behalf ofthe LLC. You must provide information for either an individual ORa registered corporate agent, not both. If using a registered corporate agent, the corporationmust have a current agent registration certificate on filewith the California Secretary of State as required bySection & 3b. If Individual Agent: Enter the name of the initial agent forservice of process and the agent scomplete California street address,city and zip code. If an individual is designated as theinitial agent, complete Items 3a and 3bONLY. Do not complete Item 3c. The complete street address is required, including thestreet name and number, city and zip code. Do not enter a Box address, an in care of address, or abbreviate the name of the city.

8 Many times, a small LLC will designate a member ormanager as the agent for service of process. The individual agent should be aware that the name andthe physical street address of the agent for service ofprocess is a public record, open to all (as are all theaddresses of the LLC provided in filings.)3c. If Registered Corporate Agent: Enter the name of the initial registeredcorporate agent exactly as registered inCalifornia. If a registered corporate agent isdesignated as the initial agent,complete Item 3c ONLY. Do notcomplete Items 3a and 3b. Before a corporation is designated as agent for the LLC, that corporation must have a current agent registration certificate on file with the California Secretary of State as required by Section 1505 stating the address(es) of the registered corporate agent and the authorized employees that will accept service of process of legal documents and notices on behalf of the LLC.

9 Advanced approval must be obtained from a registered corporate agent prior to designating that corporation as your agent for service of Instructions (REV 11/2020)2020 California Secretary of State No California or foreign corporation may register as a California corporate agent unless the corporation currently is authorized to engage in business in California and is in good standing on the records of the California Secretary of State. Provide your Registered Corporate Agent s exact name as registered with the California Secretary of State. To confirm that you are providing the exact name of the Registered Corporate Agent, go Check the applicable box to indicate if the LLC will be managed by "one manager," "more than one manager" or "all limited liability company member(s).

10 " Only one box may be checked. Every LLC is required to have at least one member. Ifno manager is appointed or elected, all members aremanagers. A member(s) is the owner of the company similar to ashareholder(s) in a The purpose statement is required. Do not alter. 6. Form LLC-1 must be signed by eachperson responsible for forming the LLC( the organizer(s)) indicating theinformation is true and correct. Type or print the name of theorganizer(s). The person signing Form LLC-1 ( the organizer(s))need not be a member or manager of the LLC. If you need more space for signatures:-Place the additional signatures on only one side ofa standard letter-sized piece of paper (8 1/2" x 11")clearly marked as an attachment to Form LLC-1and attach the extra page(s) to the completed attachments are part of this document.